Athletic Trainer Salary in Rocky Mount, NC: $56,889 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time athletic trainer in Rocky Mount, NC earns a median $56,889/year (≈ $27.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-9091). Once you factor in Rocky Mount's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $60,779 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for athletic trainers in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, reaches a median annual salary of $56,889, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,415. The salary range here stretches from $44,602 at the 10th percentile to $82,209 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse work environments and levels of experience within the field. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, highlight the financial implications of choosing between a school-year contract at secondary schools and a year-round position in the industrial sector. This trade-off not only influences immediate earnings but also impacts long-term career trajectory, shaping the employment landscape for athletic trainers in Rocky Mount.
About the Rocky Mount Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,602 | $21.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,309 | $24.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,889 | $27.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,025 | $33.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,209 | $39.52 |
Median Salary Position
13.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rocky Mount
In Rocky Mount, NC, the athletic trainer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,607 (2026 est.). At $56,889, the local median is 13.03% below the national median of $65,415.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rocky Mount: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rocky Mount Athletic Trainer Pay Compares
Rocky Mount median: $56,889/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rocky Mount Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $58,588 | -2.90% less |
| National Average | $65,415 | -13.03% less |
Athletic Trainers in Rocky Mount, NC earn a median of $56,889 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.03% lower than the national median of $65,415 and 2.90% below the North Carolina state average of $58,588.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rocky Mount has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rocky Mount, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A athletic trainer earning $56,889 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,779 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,127
2025 BLS Actual
$54,372
2026 Current Est.
$56,889
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Salary Trajectory for Athletic Trainers in Rocky Mount (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 4.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,362 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,823 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,092 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,372 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,889 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,523 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, the median athletic trainer salary grew 29.1% from $42,127 (2019) to $54,372 (2025). At a 4.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,523 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,396 (41.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rocky Mount metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 4.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,602 – $50,309 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,309 – $56,889 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,889 – $69,025 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,025 – $82,209 |
AT, ATC salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual athletic trainer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Athletic Trainer Job Market in Rocky Mount
Rocky Mount hosts a small but dedicated cohort of eight athletic trainers, a number that speaks to both niche opportunities and competition within the local job market. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, professionals here may find that their purchasing power is slightly enhanced compared to other regions. Among potential employers, industrial settings such as those with Toyota or FedEx typically offer higher pay compared to traditional roles in high schools or even collegiate athletics. The variance in compensation is influenced by several factors including the type of setting, whether professionals work as head athletic trainers or assistants, and the availability of stipends for additional responsibilities. To maximize pay in Rocky Mount, aspiring athletic trainers should consider pursuing certifications like the CSCS or OCS-AT, as these credentials can significantly enhance job prospects and salary potential in both sports and industrial health environments.
More salary data for Rocky Mount, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in athletic training. She specializes in injury prevention and rehabilitation. She has worked at several high schools and collegiate athletic programs.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $54,372 for athletic trainersin the Rocky Mount metropolitan area. A 4.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Rocky Mount is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for athletic trainers (SOC 29-9091).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MS, ATC, a licensed athletic trainer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov